A drained Gordon Strachan hailed a Scotland side that is "getting better and better" as Poland had to fight back to gain a draw in a pulsating Group D match at the National Stadium in Warsaw last night.
Goals by Shaun Maloney and Steven Naismith were matched by strikes from Kryzstof Macyzynski and Arkadisusz Milik in what Strachan accurately described as a "terrific game of football".
The glow of a point won away from home may have been slightly dulled by the Republic of Ireland drawing with Germany, the Scottish manager suggesting he might be rendered "comatose" by the climax to what he has already called the most difficult section in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
"It was a terrific game of football in a terrific stadium in front of terrific fans from both sides," he said after Scotland came back from a goal down only to lose a late equaliser. "You got everything tonight. We definitely enjoyed playing the game."
He rightly praised his side for their enterprise and their determination in coming back from a goal down. "This is a squad that's getting better and better," he said. "We have a rhythm to our game which is good and there's an understanding there. We know what we've got when we get together and I see patterns now being played. I'm really pleased with their performance and the improvement."
Strachan brought Gordon Greer, of Brighton & Hove Albion, into the side to replace the injured Grant Hanley, of Blackburn Rovers, with Norwich City's Steven Whittaker coming in for Andrew Robertson, of Hull City. Both played well with Greer, in particular, forming a strong partnership with Russell Martin in the centre of the defence.
"Gordon Greer is fantastic. He looks nothing like a football player -he looks like a rock star who's turned up at a testimonial game," said Strachan. "But he is absolutely fantastic. I thought his partner also did well.
"As for Steven Whittaker? You put him on there and you know what you are going to get. If you had 10 Steven Whittakers you would sleep a lot easier the night before the game, trust me. He can't play in goals, that's why I only said 10."
He said he was content with a draw after his side had to withstand heavy Polish pressure. Scotland now sit on four points, three behind both Poland and the Republic of Ireland. With Germany on four points, it is a group that has already defied prediction.
This, however, is no surprise to the Scotland manager. "I think I said after the Germany game - and this tonight just confirms it - this is the hardest group in the European Championships. By far. This group will go right to the last day. It'll be great for our stress levels. We'll be comatose by then."
That final day is October 11 next year when Scotland play Gibraltar away. The tension is almost certain to be unremitting.
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